Guidelines for Weddings at First Church

Clergy

Rev. David Kalas or Rev. Dave Wilkinson are available to officiate at your wedding and to work with you in premarital counseling.

Premarital Counseling Planning for your marriage, not just your wedding day. At First United Methodist Church we believe that it is important for couples to participate in premarital counseling offered by the minister who will be officiating at your wedding.  It is our policy that all couples take an online Relationship Assessment called PREPARE/ENRICH and then meet with the minister over a series of three to four sessions to discuss the results.  In the final session you and the pastor will plan for your wedding ceremony. Rev. Wilkinson and Rev. Kalas are trained in the PREPARE/ENRICH Assessment Tool and would be glad to work with you in preparation for not only your wedding day, but your life together as a couple as well. The Wedding Service Marriage is a sacred and holy event.  Whether held in our Sanctuary, the Church Garden, or offsite, the Service of Marriage is actually a worship service, offered by First United Methodist Church, as part of its ministry.  The order of service is based on the United Methodist "Service of Christian Marriage."    Weddings are very personal.  They are also matters of deep importance to the Christian community — the Church. You are encouraged to discuss your ideas concerning the service with the pastor.  Together you will decide on any changes or additions to the order of service. The involvement of other persons in the service, lay or clergy, will only be with the consent of the officiating pastor.  In the case of outside clergy, the officiating pastor must agree to invite them to participate. Wedding Rehearsals will not be scheduled any later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the wedding. Weddings in our sanctuary will not be scheduled any later than 3:00 p.m. Wedding Music As soon as your wedding date is set, you should secure the commitment of musicians.  Our church organist often plays for weddings.  If you choose to use another organist, the guest organist must check with the church organist prior to the wedding.

Other Information You Should Know

The sanctuary is not air conditioned.

Flowers.  You may plan to have fresh flowers for your wedding.  The church does not have facilities to keep flowers overnight.  Please arrange for the florist to deliver them during hours when the church building is open. 

Fellowship Hall.  If you would like to use the church's air-conditioned Fellowship Hall for the reception, please indicate that desire when reserving the date on the church calendar.   There are additional costs for use of the Hall.

Nothing may be thrown in or outside the building.
No rice, birdseed, confetti, etc.

Pew Bows.  The church does not own clips for pew bows.  There are 18 pews on each side of the main aisle.

Aisle Runner.  The church does not have an aisle runner.   If you wish to use one, it can be obtained through your florist.

Invitation to Clergy and Spouse.  It should not be assumed that the clergy and spouse will attend the rehearsal dinner or reception.  If you would like for the officiating clergy and spouse to attend either one, please extend a formal invitation.

For complete information including fees, music, order of service, and suggested scripture and hymns call the church office at 920-437-9252 or e-mail the church office.